Legend of the Gate Stones

Here, at the foot of the mountains, the elders tell the mysteries of the forests and lands of Buzoi. They reveal the secrets of what they call “the passage to the next world”. It is said that hidden in the shadows of the trees and the rustle of the leaves, the worlds beyond open their gates and let those with a peaceful and sincere soul know the hidden mysteries of men.
Huge, round and strangely encrusted stones conceal the existence of these gates. Scholars describe two kinds of gates: some that have inlaid marks composed of curved lines, gates of good spirits. They watch over the forests, lest they be engulfed by fire, torn by storms or snows, guard the souls of people who wander helplessly, see to it that good-hearted shepherds are not attacked by wolves or other carnivorous animals, or care for the fate of children who fall asleep at night in the forest. And the other gates, which are inlaid with broken lines, especially those that look like a triangle, symbolise the gates through which evil spirits enter and are controlled by witches.
Beyond the gates of the good spirits, locals say that the prey of the witches can still be found. They knew the secrets of the magic gates and used them to escape the posse on their trail.
People here have always believed in an invisible world existing between heaven and earth, and in some circumstances, some people say they have been able to see it, but especially to hear it. In the past, certain unexplained deaths, disappearances, accidents or illnesses were blamed on invisible beings living beyond the gates.
The elders also say that there are two such gates in the Chiojd Valley, one on the Mălâia Peak and is called the Saut Gate, the second near the village of Cătiașu and is known as the Giant’s Gate or Lespedea.

Source:www.tinutulbuzaului.ro